Laying turf: instructions & helpful tips
For many people, rolled turf is a simple and uncomplicated alternative to grass seeds. The rolled turf is dense and robust: within a few hours you will have a green lawn without weeds. Would you also like a new lawn? Then rolled turf could also be an option for your garden.
In this article, we will show you in simple instructions how to lay rolled turf and what you need to bear in mind. We will summarize the advantages of rolled turf for you and explain when it is best to lay it. Find out more about rolled turf now!
What are the advantages of turf?
Turf is delivered ready-made and free of moss and weeds. After just a few hours, you can enjoy a green lawn.
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When is the best time to lay turf?
You can lay turf all year round. Spring and autumn are the best times.
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How do I prepare my ground for laying turf?
Ideally, you should remove your old lawn and any root remains. Level your soil and then loosen it slightly.
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How do I lay turf correctly?
If you want to lay turf correctly, it is best to start at a straight edge and align the other strips accordingly.
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What are the advantages of turf?
Lawns are an important topic in many German gardens. You probably also want lush green lawns without weeds and moss. The reality is often different, which is why some people turn to rolled turf. This offers you various advantages.
Rolling out turf is relatively quick and can often be completed within a few hours, as it is delivered and laid ready-made. You will then have a healthy and robust lawn in your garden that can be used quickly.
There are no weeds or moss on your laid turf. The color is lush green or dark green, depending on the variety. If you decide on turf, you can also choose a suitable variety that suits the needs of your garden.
Does rolled turf also have disadvantages?
Despite all the advantages of rolled turf, you should not forget that it also has some disadvantages. It is significantly more expensive than grass seed. If you have a large garden, you can face enormous costs. It should also be laid professionally and its delivery is problematic.
Laying turf: When is the best time?
You have a lot of flexibility when laying turf. It can be laid all year round, except in frost and extremely high temperatures.
Spring and autumn are particularly popular: both seasons generally have moderate temperatures, which are ideal for the turf to grow. Theoretically, it is even possible to lay turf when it is raining, but this is not ideal.
If you want to get a new lawn in the summer, you should make sure that it is delivered in a cooled condition. Otherwise, the lawn could dry out in high temperatures. The cooling ensures that it arrives fresh and moist. It is best to find out in advance whether the provider of your choice offers this type of delivery.
Are there different types of turf?
Yes, if you buy new turf, you can choose between different types. In most gardens, a hard-wearing sports and play lawn is a good choice. On the other hand, you can also choose an ornamental lawn that is particularly dense. In some gardens, a shade lawn can also be worthwhile. Before buying, check the conditions in your lawn and choose the right type.
Preparing the ground for laying the turf
Before you can lay turf, you need to prepare the ground accordingly. This is particularly important so that the turf can grow well. You should prepare your garden for the turf before it is delivered.
To do this, you first need to remove all of the old lawn. You can use a spade or rent professional equipment from a hardware store. Then you should take a look at the quality of the soil and improve it if necessary. You may need to add sand or lime to your lawn. If in doubt, carry out a pH test.
You should then loosen the soil and remove any root remains and weeds. Then you level the lawn again. There should be no bumps left as these will hinder the growth of your lawn. You can use a roller for this, for example.
Shortly before rolling out the turf, you should rake the area lightly so that the roots can grow better. Once the turf has been watered, you can begin laying it.
Laying turf correctly in 5 steps
If you want to lay turf in your garden, you have two options. You can either have it laid professionally or you can do the job yourself. It takes some skill to lay and roll the strips correctly.
If you decide to lay your turf yourself, it is best to follow these five simple steps:
Lay your lawn
When your turf is delivered, you should lay it straight away. It should be completely laid within 24 hours at the latest. So get started as soon as it arrives.
Place the first track on an edge
Ideally, you should lay the first strip on a straight edge. You can then align all the other strips later. It's best to start at the back of your garden so that you don't have to walk over the freshly laid lawn.
Lay more tracks
Now lay the remaining strips step by step. Cut the turf to size with a knife and avoid cross joints. Make sure that the strips are laid close together.
Roll the turf
Once all the strips have been laid, you should roll the lawn lightly to fix it in place. All the strips should now be in contact with the ground and the lawn should be level.
Water your new lawn
To ensure that the lawn can grow properly, you must water it thoroughly with 15 to 20 litres per square metre after laying it. You must then not walk on it for around 2 weeks.
You have to look after your turf properly, especially at the beginning. Only then can it grow and retain its beautiful color. Make sure that you do not walk on your turf after it has been laid. It cannot regenerate yet and would simply be crushed.
When can I mow and fertilize the lawn?
Caring for rolled turf is an important topic. That's why you should find out what points you need to consider. You can mow the lawn when it has reached a height of 6 to 10 cm. Regular mowing can stimulate the growth of your lawn and make it particularly dense.
You should fertilize your lawn: About two weeks after laying the lawn, you should add all the important nutrients with a fertilizer. Theoretically, you can also work a soil activator into the soil before laying the lawn. However, you should wait a few weeks before scarifying the lawn for the first time.
What are the advantages of grass seeds?
Although rolled turf offers you some advantages, it also has disadvantages. In many gardens, it can be worthwhile to use grass seed and use it in the traditional way to sow a new lawn. Grass seed is significantly cheaper than rolled turf and is also easier to handle.
In addition, there is a huge selection of lawn seeds. You can choose between a wide variety of grass types, which you can ideally match to the needs of your garden. There is also a certain selection of rolled turf, but it is much smaller.
With lawn seeds you are also flexible and can easily repair bare patches. If you want to buy lawn seeds, you will find a particularly large selection at RasenExpert:
Frequently asked questions about turf, installation & maintenance
The topic of rolled turf concerns many garden owners. Especially those who have been struggling with moss, weeds and uneven surfaces for years. We therefore answer various questions that frequently arise on this subject.
Your soil should be loamy and permeable so that your turf can grow well. If the soil is heavy and very compacted, you should use sand to loosen up the subsoil.
In principle, it is actually possible to lay turf on your old lawn. However, we advise against it, as turf grows best when the roots anchor themselves quickly in the soil.
Roll lawns usually have a particularly dense turf. However, weeds and moss can form over the years. You can prevent this with the right lawn care .
Conclusion: Enjoy a beautiful lawn with the right turf care
If you want to have a beautiful lawn in your garden, then rolled turf can be a good choice. It is particularly robust and dense. With the right care, it will grow well and give you many years of pleasure. You can buy suitable products for lawn care from RasenExpert.
To all who can and want to do it themselves,
Your RasenExpert Team